After returning to an almost normal in person convention last year the 2022 edition of New York Comic Con (NYCC) show felt a lot closer to a pre-pandemic show. With large crowds, stronger programming, and a fuller convention floor, the convention even ended up using more floor space which had not been used last year after the completed expansion of the convention center, the four day convention annually held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan brought in hundreds of thousands of fans, to celebrate all aspects of pop culture whether it be movies and television or comics, collectibles, and anime.
As is normal I’ll be dividing my coverage up into a few articles based on different aspects of the show. Here I will be taking a look at some of the art galleries and artists on the show floor. While there were a few less galleries on the show floor than in other years there was still a lot to see from the four day event and certainly did not diminish the regulars that were in attendance and the fact that some of the larger galleries were not on the floor also allowed me to focus on exhibitors that I may have overlooked in the past.
That’s not to say there were not some big happenings. While they did not have a booth at the convention as this year marked their 10th Anniversary Bottleneck Gallery held a huge separate event at their gallery on the Friday night of NYCC.
So let’s start taking a look below at the various artists and galleries across all mediums on the show floor and be sure to look out for my other coverage from the show coming soon.
Bottleneck Gallery
https://bottleneckgallery.com/
While Bottleneck Gallery was not a physical presence on the floor at NYCC this year they still had one of the most fun and successful events this year. Pulling out all the stops for their 10th anniversary, most of which I have been a fan of, the guys at bottleneck invited 200 fans for a fun evening at their gallery.
Once attendees obtained a ticket, the money for which went to a charity, they were given a random spot in a virtual queue. Once your number was called it was then time to buy and the releases were straight up stacked from the completion of Ise’s Star Wars Trilogy to a new edition to the DKNG houses prints with a Christmas Story to everything in between including prints from David Welker, Mark Englert, Jake Kontou, Dan Mumford, Juan Burgos, Doaly, Matt Ferguson, Jason Raish and more along free giveaways including mini prints by Raid71 and a Mac and Me poster by Dave Perillo. There was just something from across a huge swath of properties.
The event was also a perfect way to see poster friends that I’ve missed over the last few years and catch up with them. People were just hanging out either inside the adjacent gallery space which were playing the last 10 years of releases from the gallery to just loping outside and hanging out.
There is not much else to say other than I hope to be doing this again 10 years from now.
Spoke Art
https://spoke-art.com/
While Spoke Art did disappoint many fans this year with the news there would not be a new Sperry release as it NYCC tradition the booth still had a strong release of posters including prints from Marq Spusta, Joshua Budich, Doaly, Juan Ramos, and an incredible Finding Nemo piece by Bella Grace.
As if Friday evening was not stacked enough Spoke Art also held an Akira screening at the Roxy Cinema with a very limited poster release from Matt Taylor.
Nakatomi, Inc.
https://www.nakatomiinc.com
Based in Austin, Nakatomi is a pop culture/art collective and screenprint studio with a full-service printshop. A cool Ultraman and Paul Pope posters helped round out their booth.
Jason Edmiston
http://jasonedmiston.com/
Jason continues his attendance at the big conventions with an assortment of new prints in his popular Eyes Without A Face series with a new set of releases from The Batman, Winter Soldier, Monsters Inc. and others. Jason also had pins, prints and a few original pieces for sale which included Batman, Mr. Freeze, Spider-Man, and Godzilla.
Brian Ewing
http://www.brianewing.com/
Brian’s been in the biz for a while now and is involved in many music and pop art imagery. He’s worked with top names and companies in the industry. Brian had a nice Han Solo print along with a really amazin Joker piece which had caught my eye.
Spitfire Labs
http://www.spitfirelabs.nyc/
This is a company I saw years ago at a Five Points Festival and happy to see they are still around and growing their offerings of unique laser etched art. Based in Brooklyn NY the company offers a wide array of art from all different fandoms including Star Wars, Star Trek, and Supernatural.
YouFoundJacob
https://www.instagram.com/youfoundjacob/?hl=en
Roaming the show floor I came across Jacob McAlister’s booth nestled amongst the mass of smaller booths and was really drawn to his art style. Though he has worked with Hero Complex Gallery on a The Walking Dead poster he has not done much more in the screen poster scene. That said his Hogwarts Castle, Disney, Star Wars and Haunted Mansion prints really draw the eye and I do hope to see more from him.
Daria Aksenova
https://dariaaksenova.com/
Daria is actually an artist whose work I have been familiar with. For a number of years as she has been a regular at IX Arts so I was completely surprised when I came across her booth on the show floor. Daria creates super detailed shadowbox worlds through paper cut art & ink illustration. Though her original artwork, something I wish I could own one day, is expensive her art can be gotten in an assortment of prints, bags, pins, pillows, desk mats, and more.
Dave Perillo
https://www.daveperilloart.com/
Dave Perillo was again back to his normalspot at NYCC. A Universally Spooky and McPuk’N set of 4”x4” prints exclusive for the show. Also as mentioned above his Mac and Me print was given out at as a party favor at the Bottleneck 10th Anniversary show!
Boxwood
http://www.boxwoodboards.com
After working with top brands including Star Wars, Aeria Games, and EA Sports Aaron Holley took his professional experience and turned that passion to his company Boxwood Board Design. Aaron offers a line of art prints, board, tech, and wall bark art in limited runs. Since my interests in art intersect with more Sci-Fi and Fantasy this is right up my alley.
MATSUMOTO Art
https://www.matsumotoart.com/
Denver based artists Michael “M.K.” Matsumoto and Courtney Matsumoto have turned their work with top companies into original and licensed artworks. With pop culture and original designs their art is very eye catching. Their Back to the Future prints were really something to see in person.
CDH Creations
https://cdhcreations.squarespace.com/
Colin Hutchens runs his small wooden artwork and custom furniture company where he creates some amazing pop culture pieces. Using no dyes, paints or stains CDH Creations source wood from all across the globe to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces of work. The Nightmare Before Christmas piece was a real delight to see in person.
Camilla D’Errico
https://camilladerrico.com
Camilla d’Errico is another artist that I’ve been following for a few years as she has had booths at NYCC in the past as well as at Five Points Festival. Creating manga-inspired art as well as fashion, accessories, art books, and more Camilla’s style and figures often feature figures each with one eye contrasting with the other. Her products range from art prints and books to pillows, kimono’s, puzzles, pins, and totes.
Das Frank
https://www.dasfrank.com/
An artist I had not seen before Das Frank a Las Vegas based tattooer at 21 Tattoo Gallery also creates paintings usually with a humorous twist. I am a big fan of his Young Frankenstein and The Ten Commandments prints.
Kehasuk
https://www.kehasuk.com/
Kris the artist behind Kehasuk uses his love of shows from the past to create unique and stunning pieces of art. Each painting of his explores different techniques, settings, placement, expression, color, amd shapes to create a cohesive story of each a character he draws.
Terry Huddleston
https://www.terryhuddlestonart.com/
Art freelancer Terry Huddleston creates a wide range of art prints from anime, pop culture, DC, Marvel, and fantasy. I really dig his art style.
NYCC Charity Art Auction
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html
It would not be art show round-up if I did not at least take a moment to mention the Charity Auction. As I mentioned last year the NYCC charity auction is, in my opinion, one of the most fulfilling activities each year at NYCC with artists creating or donating pieces from their collection be auctioned off and money collected being donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and used in the research and treatment of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. This year the auction had a record year by raising $74,130 to bring the grand total raised to just over $840,000. The entire team behind pulling the charity auction off needs to be commended though special mention really should go to Mike Negin for his tireless efforts in continuing this tradition year after year. If you ever attend a NYCC do yourself a favor and stop in on the auction, bid on some art, and help save some lives!
Rest in Peace Kim Jung Gi
On a more somber note artist Kim Jung Gi, who was scheduled to attend the show, suffered a heart attack right before heading to the show and sadly passed away. Throughout the show fans and fellow artists left flowers, drawings, and kind words at his artist alley booth. This massively talented artist is surely going to be missed.
